Background and Purpose: Databases have led to considerable advancements in the fields of biology and astrophysics. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies are expensive and time consuming to complete. An fMRI database would maximize knowledge gained from any one individual study.
Methods: I searched PubMED and the fmridc.org website. I then searched PubMED using single citation manager to find an example of a study that used this database to create a new scientific investigation.
Results: The fMRI Data Center was established in the autumn of 1999 to provide a mechanism for sharing fMRI data. Several investigators have used this database for new scientific investigations. One particular example used a new statistical analysis on data from a previously published study
Discussion: The study that used the data from the fMRI Data Center has made a considerable impact in the neuroscientific community. This study was completed with minimal expense and no subject recruitment.
Conclusion: The fMRI Data Center promises to maximize the contribution of any single study. Funding and ease of access should be carefully protected for the future generation of neuroscientists